Patricia (Late 60s)

My name is Patricia. I lived in Torremolinos  in the latter part of the 1960s.

I had never been to the Fat Black Pussycat, although often to the Carihuela for the terrific seafood.  However, I do recall I was employed on a movie made in Torremolinos called Hard Contract with James Coburn and Lee Remick. 

There was a Canadian, or I think he was Canadian, who also worked as a stand-in for James Coburn.  Can't remember his name.  Nice chap.  He had some connection the Fat Black Pussycat I recall.  I was a stand in for Lilli Palmer, although I must have been forty years younger than her.  But I had the correct height and I suppose the fair colouring.  We stand-ins would spend a lot of time together chatting and mainly doing little, for which we got paid quite handsomely.

Torremolinos was so different in those days, it was chic, with some old houses still in the Plaza.  I remember the Bar Central was a favourite haunt.  Great meals at El Porrón, or on a special occasion at "Frutos" an excellent restaurant located beside the Los Alamos service station.  The restaurant is still there. You could enjoy very good live music in many of the venues in Torremolinos, even in the smaller bars. 

El Quijote, in the then Pasaje Begoña, always had the best in South American music.  The owner's wife was Danish, and I recall that she too worked on that movie "Hard Contract".  Then there was the inimitable "El Bohio" owned by Mario (Argentinian), which offered great music and an even better atmosphere.  It was the place to go.

One asks how could such a delightful place have become so tawdry and down-at-heel.  It is always fun to reminisce about those golden days.

7 comments:

  1. Found this:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcY3ljAInWw

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    1. Who could forget the wonderful Club El Papagayo, located on the cliffside not far from the Nogalera area. The only access to the club was via a lift.
      The club was created and opened by the Barón de Gotor, and opening night was attend by General Franco himself, and the Marqués de Villaverde (Franco's son-in-law).

      The entertainment at El Pagayo was always top class, in attractive surroundings.

      What great days those were!

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  2. I was a good friend of Mario Roman, the Argentinian singer and owner of El Bohio bar in the pasage Begoña. He usa to sing, after a few whiskies with his guitar player, Ricardo, another fellow Argentinian. The three of us spent a short stay at the Prision Provincial de Malaga in the same cell for some silly behaviour after a few drinks to many...Aquel Torremolinos!!!

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  3. Acoflores. Gracias!

    It was great. Mario Román could sing the tango like a professional. One of his favourites was "Confesión". He was also accompanied by Juanito at times on the charanga.

    I married an Argentinian, and he was amused that I could sing "Confesión" having heard it so many times at El Bohio.

    ¡Que tiempos aquellos!
    Saludos

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  4. Does anyone remember the liveried welcome at the Gran Hotel Nautilus?? What style!
    We stayed either there or at the Pez Espada many times, en famille, and often with others too, during the 60s. Very happy times. Looking on google maps I cannot really recognise anything. I found the Pez E. but I think the Gran Nautilus has changed dramatically. Not even sure I found it.
    Could it be the Melia?
    I think a return after so long would spoil the nostalgia for me. One thing doesn’t change though and that is the sunshine. I hope everyone enjoys those places as much as we did.

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  5. Hi Patricia,
    I know the fellow who was the stand in for James Coburn. He and I attended university together then travelled to Spain after graduation. I worked at the Smuggler's Saloon in La Carihuela from about Jan-March 1968. The person you are seeking is Keith Sly, who I believe still lives in his home town of Seeley's Bay, Ontario. Keith took the job as stand-in sometime after I left to continue my travels. It’s remarkable that I ran across this post!

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  6. Gosh, Anonymous. Just imagine you knowing him. Mind you, I didn't think his name was Keith though. What wonderful times. And the money we were paid, on the barrel each day (or night) after shooting. The place in La Carihuela was "The Black Cat". I know this guy would head off there immediately after the days' work was over. Another time, another place, almost another galaxy!. Best of luck. P.

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